Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-07-01

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one-third' is fat. 1t is question
whether the practice of eating three,
and sometimes but two, meals a day
was not rather matter of convenience
than benefit. Too long an interval
between meals was conducive to
too voracious an appetite; bet
ter little and oftener, and
yet the stomach must have rest.
Nothing is gained by forcing food into
the stomach when there is no demand
for it, Better wait until the call comes.
The habit of drinking during me ais for
the purpose of washing down the food
is very injurious. The food should be
properly masticated aud insalivated.
with a cheerful and relaxed state Of
mind that will permit no hurry nor al
low any cares or business to interfere
else, with agreeable and tranquil oc-
cupation, is more favorable than abso-
Lutte rest, while severe mental or physi-
cal eXertion, Immediately after the in
PRODUCTION of considerable quantity
of food into the stomach, retards this
process. For the nutrition of the
muscular system repose is as necessary
as proper exercise, but repose of the
muscles relieves the fatigue without
sleep. Indeed, it is fact familiar to
those who are accustomed TO athletic
exercises that after most violent exer-
tions a renewal of muscular vgor is
most speedily and thoroughly &C
complished by rest without sleep.
California is better suited for he
production of grapes than any other
part of the United States. 1t is really
by climate, soil and season the home of
the grape. Volcanic countries and
soil are best adapted to the production
of this delicious fruit, and in California
and adjoining territories are hundreds
of millions of acres just suited for
grapes of the best varitics. They can
be raised there cheaper than elsewhere,
as they need no stakes or trellis. The
season when they are growing and
ripening has no rains Suddenly their
production has expanded until Cali
fornia wine has become drug in the
markets, and large vineyards were be-
coming nuisance. The owners were
digging them up. But lately it has
been discovered that this soil and eli
mate produce just the grape to make
the choicest OF raisinS, and the dry
Summers are just suited for their pre-
paration.
Twenty tons of grapes to the acre is
said to be an ordinary crop. and $40
per ton. would yield enormous profits
This would be one cent per pound. As
it takes about six pounds of grapes to
make one pound of raisinS, and as they
are cheaply dried n the sun, it is seen
how cheaply they can be thrown upon
the market But it is said those dried
in the sun are not as far and good as
those dried by artificial heat; hence eX-
tensive preparations are making for
that purpose.
1t is supposed by many that sugar is
used in the preparation. Such is not
the case. The pure, thoroughly ripen
ed grape is sweet enough. In Cali
fornia it ripens perfectly. Then the
punches are gathered. laid in the sun
upon boards. clay floors or upon paper
laid in the vineyards. There is no rain
to interfere with the drying, and but
little dew to dampen and darken the
color. This use of the grape opens a
new and profitable field for this State,
as grapes need no irrigation, and the
rains come just when needed for this
crop, and it is withheld when it would
be injurious.
Wine is a mocker," and wineb bib
bing greatly aggravates the evils of in
temperance. And now we are relieved
when it j. discovered that the immense
grape crop, for which the pacific coast
is pecul arly adapted, can be turned to
laudable and profitable purpose.
Grapes in the a ripe and natural shape
are greatly beneficial to health, and are
ever delicious to the taste. As such they
can be largely used ut home, and as
railroad facilities increase, they can
be Shipped and furnished cheaply to all
parts of the United States. They can
be placed on the cars at the stations in
California. in suitable packages. at one
cent per pound. They would reach
the most distant parts of the United
States in refrigerator cars for two cents
freight, and retail at four or five cents.
At this price, all these volcanic regions
(Which are always best suited for
grapes) could be proiitably cultivated
in this excellent fruit. The demand
for raisns could be greatly stimulated
and increased bv furnishing good
cheap article But few families
indulge in rasns that would if they
could get them at ten cents per pound.